Image forming apparatus with supporting member

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units; a pair of supporting members for supporting both end portions of each of the image forming units; and a leg portion abutting against a mounting surface at a lower surface of each of the supporting members.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image forming apparatus to be installed on a mounting surface, comprising:
 an image forming unit having two end portions in a longitudinal direction thereof; 
 a supporting member formed of a metal plate member for supporting the image forming unit, said supporting member having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion bent outwardly from the vertical portion, said supporting member further including a first engaging portion for engaging one of the end portions and a second engaging portion for engaging the other of the end portions so that the image forming unit is fixed at a specific position; and 
 a leg portion formed through plastically deforming the horizontal portion of the supporting member in a protruding shape for abutting against the mounting surface so that the leg portion is integrated with the supporting member as one single member, said leg portion being formed through press-processing the horizontal portion, said leg portion having an abutting surface abutting against the mounting surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said supporting member further includes a first side plate having the first engaging portion, a second side plate having the second engaging portion, a front plate connecting the first side plate and the second side plate at a front side, and a rear plate connecting the first side plate and the second side plate at a rear side. 
     
     
       3. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said first side plate includes the horizontal portion with the leg portion formed thereon, said horizontal portion including a bent portion bent upward. 
     
     
       4. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fixing device supported through the supporting member. 
     
     
       5. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said supporting member is formed through press-processing the metal plate member.